About us

The Institute for Energy and Environmental Flows (IEEF) is a physical sciences research institute at the University of Cambridge. Our interdisciplinary team includes academics, post-docs, PhD students, MPhil and Part III students from across university departments including Earth Sciences, Chemistry, Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, Engineering, and Chemical Engineering.

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Research

Research at IEEF spans a diverse range of topics, united by a shared motivation: to address real-world challenges and fundamental scientific knowledge gaps through rigorous academic inquiry.

Natural Environment

Surface Science

Energy Efficiency

Carbon Storage

We host a wide range of researchers at the institute, from undergraduate students to highly established professors, in a friendly atmosphere that fosters conversation and collaboration. We offer annual fully-funded PhD scholarships and are always interested to hear from researchers who would like to join us or to learn from us. If you are interested in working or studying at IEEF, please see our list of available roles and projects or contact the relevant member of staff.

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Recent Publications

Local ionic conditions conducive to Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease is linked to the aggregation of the intrinsically disordered protein α-synuclein (aSyn), but the precise triggers and mechanisms driving this process remain unclear. Local environmental factors, such as ion concentrations, can influence aSyn’s tendency …

New Organic-Inorganic multilayer Microcapsules with superior mechanical properties

Microencapsulation is used across multiple industrial sectors to immobilise fragrances, flavours, and bioactive compounds. It offers numerous advantages, including enhanced stability and prolonged shelf life of the product, which is safeguarded from harsh environments, pH fluctuations …

Seasonal regimes of warm water intrusion toward Antarctic ice shelves

The future of floating Antarctic ice shelves is one of the principal uncertainties surrounding projections of future sea level rise. Melting of Antarctic ice shelves is caused by relatively warm and salty Circumpolar Deep Water currents …
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Latest News

Summer garden party: congratulations Marie!

A Summer Garden Party & Hog Roast was held at the Bullard Labs on Thursday 19 June to celebrate Marie Edmonds’ election to the Royal Society. Marie has also recently been chosen as the new Head …

PhD project on Tidal Power

A new PhD project, fully funded, is available for a physical scientist, engineer or mathematician to explore the potential of tidal barrages as a means to generate a reliable source of renewable energy. A particular focus …

Celebrating 25 years at the University

On Monday 9 June, an event was held at the University to celebrate members of staff who have been in Cambridge for 25 years. The event was attended by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Deborah Prentice. Several …
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Recent Seminars

Mixing and chemical transfers in particle clouds

Dr Quentin Kriaa is a new Assistant Professor in Climate and Environmental Fluid Dynamics, and he joined the Institute at the beginning of Easter term. Today, he presented some of his recent research on particle clouds. …

Detecting blood diseases using fluid mechanics 

Prof Mahesh Tirumkudulu from the Indian Institute of Technology in Bombay has developed a unique method to measure the viscosity of a drop of liquid based on the fluid mechanics of thin films.  A drop of …

Coastal upwelling in lakes

Large lakes tend to be thermally stratified, with a layer of relatively warm water near the surface, and a deeper layer of colder water underneath. The temperature of the surface water fluctuates over the year, while …
Upcoming Seminars